ForeverMissed
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Marilyn.
In memory of our loved one, Marilyn Thompson, born on September 11, 1950 and passed away on May 8, 2020. We will remember her forever.

Marilyn spent much of her retired time volunteering at a local Birmingham play group (Small World at St David's Toddler Group), this group is not for profit and of huge benefit to the community. Please visit the give.net page to donate to St David's Toddler Group if you wish to donate in memory of Marilyn.

Written by Errol on the passing of Marilyn's mum in 2019: 
"I give you permission to cry
I give you permission to feel angry
I give you permission to feel loss
I give you permission to feel that it is not fair
But know this, the person you love may be gone
There may be a hole in your heart
Use their life to inspire your own
You were not born to stand on the sideline
You were born to participate and to make a difference where you have been placed
Do not mourn the passing
Celebrate the life and your life
Celebrate what they have meant to you
How your interaction with them has shaped who you are
What is important is what we mean to each other."

Errol's eulogy for Marilyn:
Honey,
It was not supposed to end this way,
I never expected to have to stand here and farewell you.
We were going to live on together.
It seems our dreams have been cut short.
We have done a lot in 45 years.
You followed where ever I found work.
You raised and inspired creativity in Amanda and Paul.
Your own creativity shaped our various homes and still surrounds me now.
Our travels took us to interesting corners of the world.
I know you still had some dreams.
You know I would have done anything to make those dreams happen.
Your gentle spirit did not just support us,
You have inspired and supported others.
Just as through the difficult times you were my rock.
Now that love you shared continues to come back to support me.
Oh, that I could pick you up, cuddle you, thank you, and show my appreciation for you.
This is not goodbye.
This is just a parting.
“May the Lord bless you, until we meet again.”
More importantly, you will continue to be "the wind beneath my wings."

Tributes

Leave a tribute
Errol Thompson
May 8, 2023
May 8, 2023
Three years ago, we (Marilyn and I) said our goodbyes. The setting wasn't some beautiful beach or other memorial setting. Nor was it at the end of a wonderful period of sharing a loving experience together. It was in a lonely hospice room with her drugged and having difficulty acknowledging my presence and it was after nearly four months of struggle in an environment that increasingly feared offering help.
As I write this, I am at the beginning of a new journey, a fresh start, a journey that I never expected to make alone. Her influence on this journey will remain just as over the 45 years we shared together, we shaped each others lives and daily spiritual walk. I do not know where this new journey is taking me. All I know is that God is using my experiences to help others.
It seems that the Lord is leading me to others who have experienced or are about to experience the death of a loved one. From my experiences, I can support but they in their struggles also understand the struggle that I have had and still experience. Mutually, we find that the Lord is blessing each of us in our journey.
"Lord, you have always given strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak, today I believe.
Lord, you have always given peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart, today I believe.
...
Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day; and though it may be hidden, today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here, today I believe"
(Northumbria Community, 2002, Celtic Daily Prayer. Evening Prayer)
Sue Hayhow
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022
I miss your smile, the warmth of your laugh and the love you had in your heart.
Jane Baker
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022
Remembering Marilyn on her birthday, and throughout the year, with love 
Errol Thompson
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022
You would have been 72 today. You are definitely not forgotten. Missed daily.
Cheryl Kilpatrick
May 9, 2022
May 9, 2022
Thinking of you Errol during this time of sadness, love and reflection. Sending you my deepest love across the miles. Thinking of you always, sweet Marilyn.
Errol Thompson
May 8, 2022
May 8, 2022
Sarah composed (this) for us. I had hoped to be playing it well enough to play it for you today. I am getting there but not quite. Two become one is how I think of us.
Errol Thompson
May 8, 2022
May 8, 2022
The words of my eulogy to you still apply but I keep finding new songs that remind me of you. The Bee Gees “Don’t forget to remember” is currently in my memory.

“My heart won’t believe that you have left me.
I keep telling myself that it’s true.
I can get over anything you want, my love,
but I can’t get myself over you.

Don’t forget to remember me and the love that used to be.
I still remember you. I love you.
In my heart lies a memory to tell the stars above.
Don’t forget to remember me, my love.

On my wall lies a photograph of you, girl,
though I try to forget you somehow.
You’re the mirror of my soul, so take me out of my hole.
Let me try to go on living’ right now.

Don’t forget to remember me and the love that used to be.
I still remember you. I love you.
In my heart lies a memory to tell the stars above.
Don’t forget to remember me, my love.”

We were one and you remain a part of me.
Jane Baker
May 8, 2022
May 8, 2022
Remembering you Marilyn with love. Such an inspiring and beautiful person. x
Errol Thompson
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
A year has past. It is difficult to believe it is that long. I miss you, honey.
Cheryl Kilpatrick
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
Dear Errol,

I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you today. Sending lots of love to you and the whole family. We miss your sweet, Marilyn.
With warm hugs,
Cheryl Kilpatrick (Florida, U.S.A.)
Cheryl Kilpatrick
September 11, 2020
September 11, 2020
Dear Errol, I am thinking of you on this day and celebrating the birth of Marilyn 70 years ago. Happy Birthday Dear Marilyn. We love you and miss you.
Leanne Endacott
May 20, 2020
May 20, 2020
I am so grateful to have met Marilyn at small world playgroup. She was so welcoming on our 1st visit and from every visit thereafter. She was kind, and so very lovely. Marilyn was always so loving towards my son and my family, I will miss her and have very fond memories of her. She will be missed very dearly at small world by the children and the parents. Reat peacefully Marilyn x
ALLAN GRAHAME GUY
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
Marilyn, thanks for your love and care when planning those trips I did to the UK - to Port Isaac & Cornwall in 2012, York, Durham & Lindisfarne in 2013, Belgium and the south of England in 2017 following our grandfathers' footsteps to commemorate the battle of Messines in 1917 with more of the Guy family, and of course around Birmingham again in 2019 - and the day babysitting Scarlett in her on home. And I forgot to mention 2018 when we went to Severn Valley Railway and met up with Paul, Nic, and a very young Scarlett.
Thanks also for being a great sister over the years - there when I needed you
Love
Allan
Jodie Scott-Reed
May 18, 2020
May 18, 2020
Marilyn truly was a beautiful person, inside and out. Aside from holidays, Small World has been my life for three days a week, for the past five years. In turn, so has Marilyn. It’s not just ‘a playgroup’ and Marilyn was certainly not just ‘a playgroup leader’. It is a family and that is exactly what Marilyn felt like to not just me and my children, but to all of us. She was a wonderful, intelligent woman. So, so kind, generous and loving. She also had a fantastic sense of humour, a beautiful smile, a brilliant laugh and wasn’t shy of the odd eye roll :)
I miss her and will continue to do so, as we all shall. Small World won’t be the same again as her absence will leave a huge hole.
Loved by so so many.
Rest in peace, Marilyn ❤️
Cheryl Earp
May 18, 2020
May 18, 2020
So very sorry, Amanda. Prayers for you and your family.
Clare Gladstone
May 18, 2020
May 18, 2020
Marilyn - so loved and so missed by so many.

I am so fortunate and privileged to have known you and to have been able to call you my friend. Your kindness, compassion and humour made our days at Small World and church some of my favourites.

God bless you. You were truly sent from the Lord.

X
Jo Perry
May 17, 2020
May 17, 2020
Marilyn
You were such an inspiration, so kind, humble, thoughtful and lloving lady
You will be greatly missed, but you will be forever in our hearts
Fly high lovely lady,your spirit will be around us always
God Bless
Love and huggles
Jojo & Fox Indiana xxx
Kathryn Groombridge
May 17, 2020
May 17, 2020
Words cannot adequately express how much I will miss my dear friend Marilyn. From soon after she retired she was by my side, helping me to run Small World, which offers support and a safe space for so many young families. Marilyn brought wisdom, humour and compassion, and was dearly loved by adults and children. She was such good company, so creative, gentle and generous. She lived out her faith every day. She leaves a painful gap in our community and neighbourhood, but touched so many lives and hearts, mine included. Thank you Marilyn xx
Karen Bayliss
May 17, 2020
May 17, 2020
Marilyn, the most kind, caring, person you could ever wish to meet, always smiling and always happy to help. Rest in Peace dear neighbour xxx

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Recent Tributes
Errol Thompson
May 8, 2023
May 8, 2023
Three years ago, we (Marilyn and I) said our goodbyes. The setting wasn't some beautiful beach or other memorial setting. Nor was it at the end of a wonderful period of sharing a loving experience together. It was in a lonely hospice room with her drugged and having difficulty acknowledging my presence and it was after nearly four months of struggle in an environment that increasingly feared offering help.
As I write this, I am at the beginning of a new journey, a fresh start, a journey that I never expected to make alone. Her influence on this journey will remain just as over the 45 years we shared together, we shaped each others lives and daily spiritual walk. I do not know where this new journey is taking me. All I know is that God is using my experiences to help others.
It seems that the Lord is leading me to others who have experienced or are about to experience the death of a loved one. From my experiences, I can support but they in their struggles also understand the struggle that I have had and still experience. Mutually, we find that the Lord is blessing each of us in our journey.
"Lord, you have always given strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak, today I believe.
Lord, you have always given peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart, today I believe.
...
Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day; and though it may be hidden, today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here, today I believe"
(Northumbria Community, 2002, Celtic Daily Prayer. Evening Prayer)
Sue Hayhow
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022
I miss your smile, the warmth of your laugh and the love you had in your heart.
Jane Baker
September 11, 2022
September 11, 2022
Remembering Marilyn on her birthday, and throughout the year, with love 
View all 19 tributes
Gallery
Moretonhampstead, Devon.
I took this photo at the Auckland Airport in 1992 where I was welcomed with open arms by Marilyn, Errol and Amanda. We were all shocked to see how much Amanda and I looked like one another!
Marilyn and Reuben Baker (March 2016)
St David's Church - Shenley Green.
Marilyn and her Mother Winifred.
The Thompson Family
Marilyn and Errol - mid 90s
25th Wedding Anniversary on Bounty in Sydney
25th Wedding Anniversary on Bounty ion Sydney
View all 54 items
Her Life

Early Life and Family.

May 16, 2020
by Paul Thompson
Marilyn was born in Feilding, New Zealand in 1950 to Grahame and Winifred Guy. She was the second oldest of 6 children (Allan, Jeanette, Bryan, David & Malcolm). She grew up on the families dairy farm outside Feilding.

Marriage

May 16, 2020
by Errol Thompson
She meet and married Errol in 1975. Over the years, they have developed a special bond which others have recognised.

Their daughter, Amanda was born in 1976 and son Paul in 1977.

Retirement: Small world.

May 16, 2020
by Paul Thompson
Marilyn spent much of her retired time volunteering at a local Birmingham play group (Small World at St David's Toddler Group), this group is not for profit and of huge benefit to the community. Please visit the give.net page to donate to St David's Toddler Group if you wish to donate in memory of Marilyn.
Recent stories

Gravestone Restored in Memory

September 12, 2022
by Errol Thompson
The gravestone is on the grave of Marilyn's paternal 3rd great-grandparents. The family had already made a decision to restore it in 2017 but nothing was done. With Marilyn's death, I approached the family to see whether they would accept doing it as a memorial to Marilyn as well. Marilyn had been the family historian (along with others) and organiser of family events.

Birthday wishes

September 11, 2021
by Errol Thompson
It would have been 71 years today. How I wish you were still with me. Sadly missed.
May 21, 2020
by Clare Gladstone
I have many wonderful memories of Marilyn. She gave me advice on so many occasions and made me laugh with her wonderful sense of humour. One of my favourite memories is when I went to see her in hospital just before lockdown started. She was feeling better than she had been. I went to Costa on the way in and got us some coffees and some cakes. We sat in her room and chatted for a while about many things, shared some Small World stories and ate our cakes, just us. The time flew by. I treasure that time with her so much. 
View all 4 stories

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